Motorcycle books

The SO used to have a motorcycle so motorcycle books have been in a thing in our family since Oscar was born. Two recent books, one in 2019 and one just this month, tell unique motorcycle stories and we are here for it! Once upon a time my sister-in-laws dad heard I was getting a new tattoo. "I didn't know Meg was a motorcycle chick," he told her. I don't think he knew my tattoo was a bunch of watercolor wildflowers or he might have thought differently. Still, there is a stereotype about who drives and rides motorcycles. Read these books to your little ones to ignite their own passion for motorcycles or to break the stereotypes!

My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero, illustrated by Zeke Peña.

Isabel Quintero writes about a young girl who thinks back about the rides she used to take with her Papi every day when he came home from school. Based on her own childhood in Corona, California, the young girl can't wait for her dad to get home. Even though he may be dusty and tired from building new homes in their city, he has time to thrown on helmets and zoom through. I've lost track of how many times we have read this story to Oscar. He asks for it again and again and again. I love the way the author includes the story and speech bubbles to bring this story alive. The illustrator captures the feel of a small community that feels like home, even if you've never been there. This book is one of the few I've actually purchased in the last year and it is a decision I never second guess. Add this one to your shelves!

Girl on  Motorcycle by Amy Novesky, illustrated by Julie Morstad

Girl on a Motorcycle tells the true story of Anne-France Dautheville, a French woman who decided, back in 1972, to hop on her motorcycle and travel the world alone. As you read you learn about the ups and downs, the people and countries she learns about, and the story of a woman who wasn't afraid to do what most people thought a woman should be doing. For those of you who are fans of the "Long Way" series featuring Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, this story should be right up your alley. The illustrator's use of labels was especially appealing to my organizational, check things off the list brain. And the back matter! I couldn't wait to see the actual photos and learn more about this young woman. One review I read of the book wasn't too thrilled of the use of the word "girl" throughout the book and I can see that. However, it shouldn't deter you from reading this book! 

Oscar was super pumped to read another motorcycle book. And I'm super pumped that there are multiple books featuring women/girls on motorcycles so those gender norms are broken down early on for my little guy!

Maybe I am a motorcycle "chick" after all